John Chappell Natural Philosophy Society
 | |
| Named after | John E. Chappell Jr. |
|---|---|
| Established | 2015 |
| Founder | Former members of the Natural Philosophy Alliance |
| Legal status | active |
| Leader | David de Hilster (President) |
Key people | Cynthia Kolb Whitney, Charles William Lucas |
| Website | http://www.naturalphilosophy.org |
The John Chappell Natural Philosophy Society (CNPS) is a worldwide society of critical thinkers — professors, PhDs, scientists, engineers and interested lay people — who openly question mainstream physics and cosmology and who develop and present alternative theories, philosophies and models. Taking "natural philosophy" in its older and broadest sense, the society covers physics, cosmology, mathematics and the philosophy and history of science, and provides an open forum for serious scientific work that falls outside the accepted paradigm. It is the organization that owns and maintains the Natural Philosophy Wiki on which this article appears, together with the associated World Science Database.
The society describes itself as "a world-wide think-tank of critical thinkers... who openly criticize mainstream physics and cosmology and who propose alternative theory, philosophy, and models." Its members — many of whom have worked together for more than two decades — apply critical thinking to identify what they see as flaws and failures in mainstream science, and to propose new directions in natural philosophy.
Namesake
The society is named in honour of Dr. John E. Chappell Jr. (1933–2002), a historian of science and earth scientist widely regarded as the modern father of the organized "dissident science" movement. Chappell founded the Natural Philosophy Alliance, the CNPS's predecessor, and devoted much of his life to promoting open, scholarly debate of alternatives to accepted physics — motivated in large part by his conviction that Einstein's theory of relativity was mistaken. By naming itself after its original founder and president, the society signalled its intention to continue Chappell's legacy and ideals. The letter phi (φ) in its logo reflects this focus on natural philosophy.
History
From the Natural Philosophy Alliance
The CNPS traces its origins to the Natural Philosophy Alliance (NPA), founded in 1994 by Dr. John E. Chappell Jr., Neil E Munch and others. Under Chappell's direction the NPA grew into an international membership of several hundred scientists, holding conferences in the United States and abroad — often organized as sessions within regional meetings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) — and circulating a regular newsletter and member directory. Chappell led the NPA until his death in 2002.
Formation of the CNPS
Following a dispute between the NPA's directors and its membership in 2013, a large majority of members — reportedly over 97% — called for the resignation of the organization's director and secretary. When the leadership declined to step down, most of the membership left to form a new society, which was established in 2014–2015 and took the name John Chappell Natural Philosophy Society. The new body adopted a new "phi" logo and acquired the domain naturalphilosophy.org. Because the great majority of its members came directly from the NPA, the CNPS is generally regarded as the effective continuation of the older organization.
Mission and scope
The CNPS provides an open forum for the study, debate and presentation of scientific ideas, theories, philosophies and experiments that are not commonly accepted in mainstream science. Its stated goals include supporting and promoting serious scientific work outside the mainstream and offering venues for open debate without fear of censorship. The society uses the term "natural philosophy" in its broad, historical sense, encompassing physics, cosmology, mathematics and the philosophy of science.
Activities
The society's regular activities include:
- Annual conference — a yearly meeting at which members present papers and research.
- Weekly video chats — online discussions held on Saturday mornings.
- Annual proceedings — a published volume collecting members' conference papers (for example, the CNPS Proceedings).
- Lifetime achievement awards — presented at the annual conference to prominent members for their contributions to natural philosophy.
- Natural Philosophy Wiki — a collaborative encyclopedia of scientists and ideas outside the mainstream, maintained by the society.
- World Science Database — a searchable database of scientific work outside the mainstream.
- Online forums — discussion boards for members and interested scholars.
Organization and governance
The CNPS is incorporated as a 170(c)(2)(B) organization — a structure distinct from the 501(c)(3) status previously held by the NPA. Learning from the governance dispute that led to its formation, the society wrote its operating agreement so that the membership can remove directors at any time, giving members ultimate control over the organization. Its leadership has included President David de Hilster, with figures such as Cynthia Kolb Whitney and Charles William Lucas among its prominent members.
Links
- www.naturalphilosophy.org — the CNPS website
- db.naturalphilosophy.org — World Science Database of scientific work outside the mainstream
- forums.naturalphilosophy.org — Natural Philosophy Forums
- beyondmainstream.org — profiles of dissident scientists and natural philosophers
- CNPS Operating Agreement